Diplomatic efforts are underway in Asia to defuse tension on the Korean peninsula. But South Korea is rejecting China's call to quickly convene multi-national talks to discuss North Korea. This comes as the United States and South Korea begin four days of naval drills seen as a show of strength to dissuade Pyongyang after last Tuesday's attack on Yeonpyeong island.

South Korea is effectively rejecting immediate resumption of multi-party dialog involving North Korea. The Foreign Ministry is saying, diplomatically, only that China's proposal deserves to be "very closely examined."

President Lee Myung-bak who met Sunday with visiting Chinese officials is quoted as telling them the timing is not right and it is more urgent to deal with North Korea's belligerence.

China says it wants to host emergency talks in December that would also include both Koreas, the United States, Japan and Russia.

That is where you are mistaken. the ROK Forces are tough, skilled, and very mean soldiers...and they WILL fight. Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to serve with to them on the DMZ will attest to that...
If this isn't defused, it can only escalate. Our military is under severe strain at this time, the Nation is broke...REALLY broke...There would simply HAVE to be a draft if it came to a conventional war...Using the "Nuclear Option", brings forth its own demons, of course.
Just my 2 Reichsmarks worth! Glenn